Monday, June 30, 2008

Well it was a very busy weekend. It would appear that this summer, the weather is determined to give us glorious sunshine during the week, followed by rain all weekend. Regardless, I took advantage of a rainy weekend to work on a kit that to me shouts "Sunshine, glorious sunshine!" from the rooftops. It's called Sweet Life. And it's at Plain Digital Wrapper right now. You may choose to buy the paper pack and the element pack as separate items too.

There's also a lovely new kit coming to my store at Scrapbook-Elements.com on Sunday, so keep your eyes peeled for some sneak peeks. I'll be posting layouts from that beautiful kit, just to tease you a little.

Friday, June 27, 2008

Desktop Calendar

Well, it's hard to believe that June is almost over. Where did the month go? That means one great thing - a new feature on my blog - Desktop Calendars.

I'm going to feature the work of one of my wonderful CT members, Rita (chantillylace). She's created an awesome July desktop for you using some of my fun products that you can find at Scrapbook-Elements, or Plain Digital Wrapper. I hope that you enjoy these goodies, and I hope that you have a terrific July!

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

I've been playing layout designer this week. It's high time I actually scrapbook my wedding photos. So I went surfing my digital wedding pictures, trying to find something that strikes a cord, moves me to scrapbook a moment. Only thing is, the quality of the pictures distracts me. Most of my wedding pictures were taken on a Kodak 3.1 MP camera. Very disappointing. We didn't pay for a photographer to take our photos. There were lots of friends and family with cameras that would send up pictures. I had thought up until then, that the posed photos were just that. Posed. Fake. Boy was I wrong. Candid shots have their place, and I do love them, but the problem lies in the fact that most people don't take very good candid shots. Because they have taken them haphazardly, and not thought about the shot. So you might end up with lights over your head that look like alien spaceships are ready to decend upon your wedding. Or you may have lipstick smeared on your face by that warm kiss from Aunt Nelly. The situation is not hopeless for me. Thank goodness I have something that allows me to edit and blur out backgrounds, alien spaceships and lipstick smudges.

All the same, this weekend, looking through the photos, I determined to get to know my 8.1 MP camera better and save up for next year's anniversary gift (which I'm getting whether hubby knows or not) is a DSLR. Which one, I don't know. But I know that along with the camera and basic lens, I will be enrolling for a basic photography course. Scrapbooking after all, revolves around your photos, your memories. So I want those photos to be crisp, and clear, because these days, my memory certainly isn't. Ha!

So on the last day of my 30s, I decided to complete a scrapbooking challenge to try and get me out of my "oh lord, now I will need yearly eye exams and the dreaded mamograms!" funk. So I got out my camera, and shot myself in front of the mirror in the bathroom. Let me rephrase that. I took a photo of myself in the bathroom in front of the mirror. Here's the result:

I think it's not all that bad a photo, considering my mood at the time. And it was a good challenge to do. I don't think I've ever done a "me" layout. So thanks for the challenge Nicole! Incidentally, this is Paper Garden by Sugarplum Paperie and Franziska Altmann. Gorgeous kit. Simply beautiful.

Sunday, June 22, 2008

What a week!

Well, it's been quite the week for me. Earlier this week, we found out from our bank that we had been defrauded of every penny in our bank account. Fortunately the bank is insured and we got our money back by Friday. Phew! Why am I telling you this? As a public announcement to be careful where you use your bank cards. Do not use just any ATM in any mall. Be safe. Use only bank machines that are connected to banks, and have security cameras. It is an unfortunate reality of the times we live in, but yes, common criminals now have a means of getting your personal information, including bank accounts and PINs from using a very tiny card reader that they can insert in any bank machine. So be careful out there folks.

Now, since my week ended on a better note than it started, I wanted to show you a little freebie that you can find at Plain Digital Wrapper this week, because I'm the Featured Designer there this week. So on top of the freebie, you'll find my products on sale there too. I hope you enjoy this little gift. It's a nice soft mini-kit that would be awesome to use for nature layouts.

On another note, this week, I hit a milestone. My late 30s will be over. I'm getting older. It's sad when you wake up on Sunday morning, turn on the radio, and find that your favourite songs from the 80s are now being called "oldies". But I've heard some pretty awesome, strong women say that life gets better in your 40s. I have a feeling it's true. In your 40s, you have life experience. Hopefully you know what you want out of life, and what you are willing to take, and what you aren't willing to take. You become more assertive (not aggressive) I suppose. And that's always a good thing.

So I hope that you've enjoyed your weekend, and that you'll have an even more amazing week!

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Plain Digital Wrapper Grab Bag Revealed!

Have you been curious about what was in my grab bag for June? Well here's what you'll find in my store. It's my grab bag revealed. I tried to put together a pretty summery bag, with some boy items, some pretty feminine items, and a classic mini-kit that can be used for any special occasion layout. Take a look!

Want to see what Mara, CT coordinator has done with the grab bag items? She's a a very talented layout designer! The layout is linked so that you can go and leave her some love!

I hope you enjoy the grab bag items. They are all linked up for you, so that you can find them easily at Plain Digital Wrapper. Hope you have an awesome weekend!

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Well, it's finally here! My newest kit at Scrapbook-Elements.com! Neopolitan Sundae. I adored making this kit. First off, I think the colours are so soft and pretty. I really love this colour palette.

It's a kit so big and yummy it could only be called Neopolitan Sundae. Chocolate and strawberry with a cherry on top! Deliciously textured papers that you can use over and over again. Unique soft elements, with a twist of bling! You'll love the layered flowers, one so soft you'll reach out to touch it. The fuzzy fibers give this kit a warm cozy feel. You'll find unexpected touches of sparkle in the butterfly stamp and stained glass flower. Beautiful elements that add a unique flavour to your layouts. Don't forget the sprinkles – adorned across some luscious pink papers.9 luscious papers

Saturday, June 14, 2008

So excited!!

I'm so excited about tomorrow. My newest kit, Neopolitan Sundae is coming out at Scrapbook-Elements.com. It's a wonderful mix of pinks and browns and it was so much fun to make. I had a special gift made for my blog readers by the wonderful Stephanie (aka ReednOwensmommy). I hope you enjoy it. This is just a small sampling of what's in store for you with Neopolitan Sundae. And don't forget that it will be on sale for the first couple days.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

It's Grab Bag Weekend at Plain Digital Wrapper.com!!

Now you can get five new summer products for less than the price of a Tall Frapuccino people! What are you waiting for? These new products are great for boys, girls and grown-ups. I've got a mini-kit that I think will become one of my classic products. You'll see what I mean. Go pick it up before Sunday, so that you save over 80% of the retail price!

Monday, June 09, 2008

New Everyday Living Challenge at Scrapbook-Elements.com!

Are you looking for some inspiration to scrap something a little different? I find that whenever my mojo is running low, a little challenge usually sets it aright. I've got a bi-weekly challenge at SBE called the Everyday Living Challenge. Check this edition out.

This challenge is about scrapping everyday moments. So for the next two weeks, your challenge is to scrap something about ...

a family pet!

Scrap something about a family pet you have, or would have chosen if you don't have one. Use mostly SBE products and that's it.

I've changed things up a bit and am creating an exclusive kit just for participants of this challenge! Summer Sherbet will only be available to ELC participants!

Have fun everyone! Can't wait to see what you come up with!

These are the solid papers for Summer Sherbet, the kit made just for you! (And if you missed this challenge last week, you can get the papers if you participate in this challenge). If you have your settings set to receive private messages here, you'll get the solid papers and the new patterned papers when you post your challenge layout!

Saturday, June 07, 2008

Could this weekend be any muggier? You just know that we are going to get a mega storm today by the way it feels. Don't get me wrong...it's beautiful outside. Sunny, white fluffy clouds. But the humidity is high, and there's lots of wind. Typical of a day that will end with a huge thunderbumper!

So, I've been trying to stay indoors this morning and have been finding some fun colour schemes to work with for the next few kits. One was inspired by my friend's daughter, Olivia. So I decided to play around a bit this morning and ended up with this mini kit. The best part - it's my gift to you!